Stunt device for toy vehicle trackset

ABSTRACT

A spiral stunt device includes a supporting frame having an upper cross member which in turn defines a helical thread. A traveler engages the helical thread of the upper support and further supports a pendulum segment. The pendulum segment extends downwardly and terminates in a toy vehicle receiver or “caddy”. A first track segment is directed toward one side of the spiral stunt device which a second track segment is directed toward an offset portion of the stunt device. As a toy vehicle enters the stunt device with substantial energy, it is captivated by the toy vehicle receiver. As the energy of the captivated toy vehicle is transferred to the receiver and its pendulum support, the receiver together with the toy vehicle and the pendulum support are caused to rotate about the horizontal member advancing the traveler on the helical threads. The resulting lateral movement of the traveler upon the helical thread aligns the toy vehicle receiver with the offset track segment. Thereafter, the toy vehicle departs the receiver and travels down the offset track segment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Provisional Application 60/538,942entitled SPIRAL STUNT DEVICE FOR TOY VEHICLE TRACKSET filed Jan. 23,2004 on behalf of the applicants of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to toy vehicle tracksets andparticularly to stunt apparatus utilized therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy vehicle tracksets have been proven to be an extremely popular andlong-lasting category of toys. As toy vehicle tracksets became more andmore competitive, practitioners in the toy arts have endeavored toenhance the amusement and entertainment value of such toy vehicletracksets by employing a variety of devices which may be generallyreferred to as “stunt devices”. These devices have included a virtuallyendless variety of track segment loops, jumps, collision apparatus andthe like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,660,849 issued to Faller setsforth MODEL VEHICLE having a device for accelerating model vehiclesincluding a track portion movable relative to a supporting base by aspring mechanism. The track portion is held in a cocked position againstthe spring until a toy vehicle enters the toy vehicle supporting systemof the track portion. A trigger is released as a vehicle enters thetrack portion. The released trigger allows the track portion to berapidly rotated about a center carrying the toy vehicle in an arc anddepositing it upon a second portion of the toy vehicle trackset.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,112 issued to Lambert et al. sets forth a TOYVEHICLE SET HAVING VEHICLE SNATCHING TOY FIGURE in which a toy vehicletrack defines a loop portion therein. A launcher is supported by andcoupled to the toy vehicle track for accelerating a toy vehicle down thetrack through the loop and outwardly from the loop. A toy figure issupported within the interior of the track loop and includes a simulatedanimal head and jaw which is triggered by the toy vehicle movementthrough the loop. The animal jaw and head move rapidly to snatch the toyvehicle from the track loop.

A substantial number of toy vehicle tracksets utilize one or more loopportions to increase the amusement and entertainment of the user. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,991 issued to Sano; U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,923issued to Brigham et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,783 issued to Montagna;U.S. Pat. No. 1,431,398 issued to Hetzner; U.S. Pat. No. 3,209,491issued to Roeper; U.S. Pat. No. 770,071 issued to Johnson and U.S. Pat.No. 5,299,969 issued to Zaruba all set forth various examples of loopedtoy track systems.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,789 issued to Rehkemper et al. sets forth a TOY CARTRACK ASSEMBLY WITH PROPELLING MECHANISM AND COLLISION COURSE having aclosed toy vehicle trackway within which a upwardly spiraledbattery-powered lifting device raises toy vehicles from one portion ofthe trackway to a greater height and thereafter allows the toy vehiclesto roll downwardly into a stunt loop. This stunt loop includes acollision-causing intersection which creates a mid-air collision coursewhich results from a car entering the loop as an earlier car traversesthe loop.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,953 issued to Hippely et al. sets forth a TOYVEHICULAR PLAYSET having a transparent hollow barrel-like memberdefining open end portions. A toy vehicle track directs an acceleratedvehicle into the interior of the barrel-like device. Within thebarrel-like device, the toy vehicle travels in a generally cylindricalpath and ultimately emerges at the opposite end onto an exit trackportion. The helical path of the toy vehicle is determined by the speedof the vehicle entering the barrel interior.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,633,308 issued to Yang sets forth a TOY INCLUDING ATRACK FOR CAR having a pair of rotating farris wheels supported in aspaced relationship. A first track portion extends upwardly from thebottom portion of one ferris wheel to a raised midpoint and thendownwardly to the other ferris wheel. A pair of toy vehicles extractorstransferred the toy vehicles from the rotating ferris wheels to thetrack segments.

A number of toy vehicle sets utilize loop portions in the trackway whichdefine a gap rather than a continuous loop. Such gaps are intended to betraversed of “jumped” by high speed toy vehicles within the trackset.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,961 issued to Muller sets forth a TRACKFOR TOY VEHICLES WITH JUMPING-OFF AND JUMPING-ON RAMPS in which a basesupports a pair of oppositely positioned generally C-Shaped loopsegments which are in general alignment such that a discontinuous trackloop is formed therebetween a center gap. A toy vehicle entering theloop portion thus defined is directed by one C-Shaped portion to the gapformed between the sections causing the vehicle to “jump”. The vehiclepath carries the vehicle to the opposite C-Shaped section to completethe stunt.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,867 issued to Hippely sets forth a TOY VEHICLETRACKWAY SET having a track portion and means for accelerating a toyvehicle thereon. The track portion defines a vertical loop whichtransitions to a segment of a horizontal loop. The horizontal loopsegment defines a generally upwardly angled path which ends abruptly inthe interior of the vertical loop. A catching device defining agenerally open container is positioned at a desired point with respectto the horizontal loop termination. The object of game play is toposition the container such that a toy vehicle traveling down thetrackway upwardly and through the vertical loop and horizontally in acurved path results in hurtling the toy vehicle away from the trackset.The user attempts to locate the open container at the approximatelanding point of the toy vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,133 issued to Chilton et al. sets forth anINTERRUPTED INVERTED JUMP LOOP FOR ELECTRIC SLOT CARS having a pair ofgenerally parallel slot car tracks which form a gapped or open jumploop. Toy vehicles traveling the track are directed upwardly and thenrearwardly toward the opposing jump loop portion. The object is to jumpthe gap in the track loop such that the toy vehicle lands on thereceiving portion of the jump loop and continues travel.

U.S. Pat. No. 783,812 issued to Ancillotti sets forth an AMUSEMENTAPPARATUS having an elevated and downwardly inclined bicycle track. Thebicycle transitions to an upwardly and rearwardly directed loop segment.A mirror image loop segment is spaced from the launching segment and iscoupled to a further track portion. A bicycle accelerated down theincline ramp enters the inclined ramp enters the first loop segment,jumps the gap and is received upon the receiving loop section.

U.S. Pat. Re. 32,106 issued to Lemelson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,649issued to Zaruba set forth examples of further prior art devicesgenerally related to the present invention.

While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extentimproved the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success,there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermoreinteresting, and amusing stunt devices for use within toy vehicletracksets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providean improved toy vehicle trackset. It is a more particular object of thepresent invention to provide an improved toy vehicle trackset having anovel vehicle-reactive stunt device therein.

The present invention is directed to a spiral stunt device for use in atoy vehicle trackset. The spiral stunt device includes a supportingframe having an upper cross member which in turn defines a helicalthread. A traveler engages the helical thread of the upper support andfurther supports a pendulum segment. The pendulum segment extendsdownwardly and terminates in a toy vehicle receiver or “caddy”. A firsttrack segment is directed toward one side of the spiral stunt devicewhich a second track segment is directed toward an offset portion of thestunt device. As a toy vehicle enters the stunt device with substantialenergy, it is captivated by the toy vehicle receiver. As the energy ofthe captivated toy vehicle is transferred to the receiver and itspendulum support, the receiver together with the toy vehicle and thependulum support are caused to rotate about the horizontal memberadvancing the traveler on the helical threads. The resulting lateralmovement of the traveler upon the helical thread aligns the toy vehiclereceiver with the offset track segment. Thereafter, the toy vehicledeparts the receiver and travels down the offset track segment.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a spiralstunt device for use in combination with a toy vehicle and a toy vehicletrackset, the spiral stunt device comprising: an entry ramp forreceiving a moving toy vehicle; an exit ramp; a support structure; apendulum pivotally supported by the support structure; and a toy vehiclecaddy secured to and carried by the pendulum, the toy vehicle caddyhaving means for receiving and carrying a toy vehicle, the pendulumabsorbing the kinetic energy of a moving toy vehicle as it moves fromthe entrance ramp to the toy vehicle caddy and in response theretorotating about the support structure to align the toy vehicle caddy withthe exit ramp and transfer the toy vehicle onto the exit ramp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel,are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle trackset;

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of an alternative toy vehicletrackset;

FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a spiral stunt deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 sets forth a perspective view of the present invention spiralstunt device in motion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

By way of overview, the present invention spiral stunt device utilizes asupport member having an upper cross member upon which a helical coil isformed. A traveler is supported upon and engages the helical threadportion. A pendulum extends downwardly from the traveler and terminatesin a toy vehicle receiver at its lower end. A pair of offset tracksegments forming an entering ramp and an offset exit ramp are alignedwith the spiral stunt device. Initially, the traveler aligns the toyvehicle receiver with the entry ramp. Thereafter, a toy vehicle havingsubstantial energy proceeds along the entry ramp and is guided to animpact and capture upon the toy vehicle receiver. As the toy vehicle iscaptured within the toy vehicle receiver, an energy transfer takes placewhich causes the combined structure of the toy vehicle receiver,pendulum support and traveler to rotate about the horizontal supportmember upon the helical coil segment. This rotation produces a lateralmovement of the entire structure into a second position in which the toyvehicle receiver is aligned with the exit ramp trackway segment. As thetoy vehicle receiver is rotated downwardly into alignment with the exitramp, the toy vehicle is charged from the receiver and travels away fromthe stunt device upon exit ramp.

FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle tracksetconstructed in accordance with the present invention and generallyreferenced by numeral 10. Toy vehicle 10 includes a scaffold-typesupport generally referenced by numeral 11. Support 11 includes a numberof base elements such as base 12 which utilizes a plurality of supportrods such as rod 13. Trackset 10 further includes an intersection 30supported by scaffold support 11. Intersection 30 includes an outer ring31 pivotally supported upon support 11 and an inner ring 32. Inner ring32 is small enough in diameter to fit within the interior of outer ring31. Inner ring 32 is pivotally secured to outer ring 31. As a result,both outer ring 31 and inner ring 32 are pivotable both with respect toeach other and with respect to support 11. Outer ring 32 is coupled to apair of track portions formed by track loop 22 and track ramp 23.Similarly, inner ring 32 is coupled to one end of track loop 22 and totrack segment 21. Because the end portion of track loop 22 are spacedfrom ramp 23 and track segment 21 respectively, a gap or “jump” isformed across outer ring 31 and inner ring 32. The angle between thejump paths thus formed within intersection 30 is determined by thepivotal positions of outer ring 31 and inner ring 32.

Trackset 10 further includes a booster 15 fabricated in accordance withconventional fabrication techniques which accelerates a toy vehiclepassing downwardly upon ramp 23. Trackset 10 further includes a flexiblemultiple apertured panel 16 which in turn is supported by an adjustablesupport 17. The remainder of trackset 10 is coupled by a track segment19 coupled to panel 16 and forming a U-Shaped portion together with astraight track segment 20. Track segment 20 is coupled to track segment21.

Track segment 21, loop portion 22 and ramp 23 are fabricated to providea trackway which is highly flexible in use and readily adjustable to avariety of curves, loops and twists. Thus, for example, ramp 23 isformed of a track segment 18 comprising an elongated frame 33 supportinga plurality of guide rail posts such as posts 34 and 35. Posts 34 and 35are supported along each side of frame 33. A pair of flexible generallyrod-like rails such as rails 36 and 37 are secured within posts 34 and35 as well as the remaining posts along frame 33. The utilization offrame 33 together with supporting posts such as posts 34 and 35 areflexible guide rails such s guide rails 36 and 37 provides a trackstructure which facilitates bending the resulting track into a varietyof curves, loops, twists and the like which are maintained in shape dueto the secure attachment of guide rails 36 and 37 on each side of thetrack frame. In the preferred fabrication of the track segments, the fitand attachment of the guide rails utilizes an extremely tight snap-fitattachment for secure holding of guide rails. Conversely, thepositioning of the guide rails after the track frame has been shaped asdesired allows the snapped in guide rails to maintain the curvature ortwist or other shaping of the track segment.

FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of a toy vehicle tracksetconstructed in accordance with the present invention and generallyreferenced by numeral 40. Trackset 40 differs from trackset 10 in itsutilization in a different arrangement of components and a differentcombination of components but functions basically the same. Accordingly,trackset 40 includes a loop segment 41 supported by a support structure42 together with a loop segment 44. Loop segment 44 is coupled between acurved panel 43 having a support 45 and a booster 15. Booster 15 isfabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and isused to accelerate a toy vehicle passing through the booster stage. Anintersection 30 fabricated in the manner described above in FIG. 1, ispositioned with an outer ring 31 and an inner ring 32 in a flat orcoplanar relationship. Thus, outer ring 31 is coupled to track loop 41and booster 15 while inner ring 32 is coupled to the remaining end ofloop 41 and curved panel 43.

Loop portion 41 and loop portion 44 of trackset 40 are fabricated in theabove-described manner in which a track frame supports a plurality ofposts which in turn are secured to a pair of flexible guide rails. Itwill be noted by examination of FIGS. 1 and 2 that this track structureprovides substantial flexibility and variability in shaping the contoursof the trackset.

In the horizontal configuration of intersection 30 shown in FIG. 2, thejump portions formed by the respective track segments are generallycoplanar and generally horizontal. This allows intersection 30 toprovide a more conventional toy vehicle intersecting jump.

FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective view of a spiral stunt deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention and generallyreferenced by numeral 50. Spiral stunt device 50 includes a includedentry ramp 51 and an offset exit ramp 52. Between ramps 51 and 52, asupport structure 53 is positioned and further supports a horizontallydisposed spiral mechanism 54. Spiral mechanism 54 includes a helicalthread (not shown) upon which a traveler 55 is supported so as to engagethe helical threads of spiral mechanism 54. Traveler 55 further supportsa downwardly extending pendulum arm 56 which in turn supports a toyvehicle receiver 57. In FIG. 3, a typical toy vehicle 58 is showncaptivated within toy vehicle receiver 57. In the configuration shown inFIG. 3, toy vehicle 58 has just entered toy vehicle receiver 57. Asmentioned above, the energy possessed by toy vehicle 58 as it traversesentry ramp 51 is transferred to toy vehicle receiver 57 as the toyvehicle is captivated. This transfer of energy causes rotation ofpendulum arm 56 and traveler 55.

FIG. 4 sets forth an enlarged perspective view of the present inventionspiral stunt set. As described above, spiral stunt device 50 includes asupport 53 having a spiral mechanism 54 supported in a horizontalposition. An entry ramp 51 is coupled to support 53 together with anoffset exit ramp 52 also coupled to support 53. Spiral mechanism 54includes an internal helical thread (not shown) upon which a traveler 55is engaged. Traveler 55 further supports a pendulum 56 which in turnsupports a toy vehicle receiver 57. A toy vehicle 58 is shown captivatedwithin receiver 57. A trigger release 59 is supported within toy vehiclereceiver 57 and its operative to release toy vehicle 58 once alignmentwith exit ramp 52 is obtained.

Thus, in operation, as a toy vehicle such as toy vehicle 58 traversesentry ramp 51 it transfers to toy vehicle receiver 57 and the energypossessed by the toy vehicle is imparted to toy vehicle receiver 57.This energy causes the combined structure of toy vehicle receiver 57,pendulum 56 and traveler 55 to rotate in the direction indicated byarrow 61. This rotation causes traveler 55 to move in the directionindicated by arrow 62 upon spiral mechanism 54. After severalrevolutions, toy vehicle receiver 57 is aligned with exit ramp 52 andtrigger 59 is activated. As trigger 59 is activated, toy vehicle 58exits receiver 57 and moves onto exit ramp 52 completing the stunt.

What as been shown is a novel spiral stunt device for use in a toyvehicle trackset in which an entertaining rotational carriage of the toyvehicle takes place transferring the toy vehicle in an apparentlymagical manner between two offset ramps.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A spiral stunt device for use in combination with a toy vehicle and atoy vehicle trackset, said spiral stunt device comprising: an entry rampfor receiving a moving toy vehicle; an exit ramp; a support structure; apendulum pivotally supported by said support structure; and a toyvehicle caddy secured to and carried by said pendulum, said toy vehiclecaddy having means for receiving and carrying a toy vehicle, saidpendulum absorbing the kinetic energy of a moving toy vehicle as itmoves from said entrance ramp to said toy vehicle caddy and in responsethereto rotating about said support structure to align said toy vehiclecaddy with said exit ramp and transfer said toy vehicle onto said exitramp.
 2. The spiral stunt device set forth in claim 1 wherein saidentrance ramp and said exit ramp are offset a predetermined distance andwherein said pendulum moves said distance as it revolves about saidsupport structure.
 3. The spiral stunt device set forth in claim 2wherein said pendulum and said support structure includes a spiralmechanism operative to advance said pendulum along said supportstructure said distance upon one or more revolutions of said pendulum.4. The spiral stunt device set forth in claim 3 wherein said toy vehiclecaddy includes a trigger release operative to restrain a toy vehiclelanding on said toy vehicle caddy and to release a restrained toyvehicle when said toy vehicle caddy impacts said exit ramp.
 5. Thespiral stunt device set forth in claim 4 wherein said entry ramp andsaid exit ramp are secured to said support structure.